Parenteral glutamine supplement has synergic effects in minimally invasive surgery of subtotal gastrectomy patients.

Abstract

BACKGROUND/AIMS:

Exogenous glutamine supplement is known to improve morbidity and mortality of critically-ill patients. This study was conducted to elucidate the role of glutamine in minimally invasive surgery.

METHODOLOGY:

We retrospectively reviewed subtotal gastrectomy patients in National Taiwan University Hospital from Dec 2005 to Dec 2008. The patients were divided into three groups. Group 1 underwent subtotal gastrectomy by laparotomy without glutamine supplement, group 2 underwent subtotal gastrectomy by laparotomy with glutamine supplement and group 3 underwent gasless laparoscopy-assisted subtotal gastrectomy with parenteral glutamine supplement.

RESULTS:

There were 155 patients in total; 85 patients in group 1, 17 in group 2 and 53 in group 3. The mean flatus days after operation are 3.6, 3.1 and 2.8 for groups 1, 2 and 3, respectively (p=0.001). Oral intake after operation was commenced after 6.7, 5.0 and 4.7 days (p=0.006). The body temperature had borderline differences between groups 3 and 1. There were significant differences in postoperative systemic responses including heart rates (p<0.001) and tenderness (p=0.011) 5 days after operation for group 3 vs. group 1. Minimally invasive surgery was a negative factor for postoperative body temperature change. Glutamine was a significant factor for postoperative heart rate change and reduction of tenderness.

CONCLUSIONS:

Glutamine supplement may have synergic effects of rapid recovery in minimal invasive surgery for subtotal gastrectomy patients by minimizing the postoperative systemic response and accelerating recovery.

• Authors: Chien-Chia Chen, Tung-Cheng Chang, Ming-Yang Wang, Ming-Hsun Wu, Ming-Tsan Lin
• Journal: Hepato-gastroenterology (Hepatogastroenterology) Vol. 59 Issue 118 Pg. 1776-9 (Sep 2012) ISSN: 0172-6390 [Print] Greece
• PMID: 22819900 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Glutamine

Topics

• Aged
• Body Temperature Regulation
• Dietary Supplements
• Female
• Gastrectomy (adverse effects, methods)
• Glutamine (administration & dosage)
• Heart Rate
• Humans
• Laparoscopy (adverse effects)
• Linear Models
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Parenteral Nutrition
• Postoperative Complications (etiology)
• Recovery of Function
• Retrospective Studies
• Taiwan
• Time Factors
• Treatment Outcome